Tag Archives: survivors’ stories
“We Are Not Your Chum” – another brilliant post by Julie Cleaveland
Barbara Roberts ♦ 6th July 2019
God doesn’t use the hurting, the victim, the crushed, as bait. God doesn’t use the “trash fish” of society to reach a “trophy.” Jesus sees value and worth where others see none. God sees. God reaches. God searches. God stops. So you see, church leaders, we are not your chum. […continue reading Julie Cleaveland’s post …
Comforting My Church With the Comfort They Gave – by Julie Cleaveland
Guest Post ♦ 24th June 2019 ♦ 24 Comments
Julie Cleaveland was married to a very wicked man. When she sought help from her church, she got the usual bad treatments. She published this letter to her former church leaders to highlight the bias in their thinking. Dear Former Church Leaders, I was surprised to hear that your head pastor and you parted ways …
Walking Through Abuse with a Loved One – Jacob and Rachael Denhollander share their experiences
Barbara Roberts ♦ 22nd May 2019 ♦ 15 Comments
Rachael suffered sexual abuse as a child, from two male perpetrators. One was a church leader, the other was Dr Larry Nassar who is now in jail for abusing multiple girls in his role as doctor for high level gymnasts. Rachael’s husband, Jacob, is not a survivor of sexual abuse. Rachael and Jacob describe how …
When dental visits unearth old trauma
Guest Post ♦ 3rd May 2019 ♦ 9 Comments
[Trigger warning] From the taste of blood in her mouth to feeling powerless and unable to talk, sexual assault survivor Juliet dreaded annual visits to the dentist. Everything brought back the trauma of the sexual abuse she’d endured from a male relative from the age of three to 14. She would “white knuckle” the dental …
Domestic & family violence survivors answer “Was it really that bad?” – from ABC TV Australia
Barbara Roberts ♦ 13th April 2019 ♦ 1 Comment
“Was it really that bad?” “What are the scars?” “Why didn’t you leave?” Australia’s ABC TV has been broadcasting a series called You Can’t Ask That. The series is helping break down misinformation, false concepts and stereotypes. In this episode, survivors of domestic and family violence talk about their experiences. We hear from several different …
Leslie Vernick – various responses that domestic abuse victims have to her work. (5th & final in series on SBC’s ChurchCares program)
Barbara Roberts ♦ 25th March 2019 ♦ 172 Comments
Some victims of domestic abuse find Leslie Vernick’s work helpful; others find it confusing and even dangerous. To illustrate the range of responses that victims have to Leslie’s work, I will be quoting from their comments. Most of my quotes will be excerpts from victims’ comments and I will give links to their original comments …
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